Electrical connection part formed by a casing with two arms oriented at 90°

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

p-0002This application is a 371 U.S. National Stage of International Application No. PCT/EP2009/056012, filed May 18, 2009. This application claims the benefit of French Patent Application No. 08 53211, filed May 19, 2008, the disclosures of which applications are incorporated herein by reference.

p-0003The present invention relates to an electrical connection part designed to electrically connect a first and a second device, which is formed by a casing including two arms oriented at 90° with respect to each other.

p-0004A possible application of such a part is the connection of a gas microgenerator for a motor vehicle safety device to means for initiating this microgenerator.

p-0005As regards motor vehicle safety, such a gas microgenerator is currently used inside pretensioning or retracting devices for seat belts.

p-0006The problem related to the mounting of such devices essentially lies in the lack of space.

p-0007More specifically, such a pretensioner is mounted at the end of a belt loop and in the vicinity of the chassis of the vehicle. In practice, the operator has very little space for connecting the gas microgenerator to the means which, depending on a piece of information delivered by an impact detector, will cause its initiation. They are generally in the extension of each other.

p-0008Such a microgenerator generally comprises two pins or electrodes which transmit an electrical current to the load contained in the generator, thereby causing its initiation. But the connection of these pins is difficult in terms of bulkiness; so that it happens that the pins are bent.

p-0009This is not acceptable since this may compromise the triggering of the pretensioner system.

p-0010The present invention is notably directed to solving this problem by proposing an electrical connection part which allows the connection of two devices, for example the connection of a gas microgenerator to its firing device, this without being bothered by the limited space available for the assembly, without changing in any way the structure and the operation of the presently available parts, and this, in complete safety.

p-0011Another goal is to propose a connection part, the constitutive elements of which are perfectly laid out relatively to each other, without any risk of a lack of alignment or the like, which would risk being detrimental to a perfect electrical connection of the devices with each other.

p-0012Another goal of the invention is to propose a part, the different constitutive elements of which lend themselves to automated assembling.

p-0013Thus, the present invention relates to an electrical connection part designed to electrically connect a first and second device, which is formed by a casing including two arms oriented at 90° with respect to each other, wherein this casing houses a pair of electrical connectors of which a first end has the shape of a pin longitudinally housed in one of said arms, while a second end has the shape of a sleeve longitudinally housed in the other of said arms, these pins and sleeves being able to be electrically connected to matching sleeves borne by the first device, respectively to matching pins formed by the second device.

p-0014This part is essentially remarkable in that said casing consists of two independent parts, i.e. a body and a removable cover which include means for accommodating and/or means for locking said connectors, and in that the arm which houses said pins is equipped with a shunt element capable of electrically connecting said pins in the absence of a connection to the sleeves of said first device.

p-0015This structure consisting of two independent parts allows free access to the interior of the body for placing the connectors.

p-0016The presence of means for accommodating and/or means for immobilizing the connectors guarantees their proper positioning, which is required for any proper electrical connection.

p-0017Moreover, the presence of a shunt element inside the part allows any undesirable electrical current to be discharged without any risk.

p-0018In a particular embodiment, said body includes arrangements capable of allowing the connectors to be placed in a direction generally parallel to the arm receiving said pins on the one hand, and allowing said cover to be placed in a direction generally parallel to the arm receiving said sleeves on the other hand.

p-0019Both of these placements are therefore performed along perpendicular directions.

p-0020Moreover, according to other advantageous and non-limiting features of the invention: <ul><li id="ul0001-0001" num="0000"><ul><li id="ul0002-0001" num="0020">said shunt element includes a body and two brackets bent to 180° in order to form ends in contact with said pins;</li><li id="ul0002-0002" num="0021">said associated arm includes a wall for accommodating said shunt element;</li><li id="ul0002-0003" num="0022">said shunt element includes a rod for holding and locking onto said arm;</li><li id="ul0002-0004" num="0023">said connectors are provided with mechanical or elastic means for locking onto said body, these means being provided so that they may not be unlocked;</li><li id="ul0002-0005" num="0024">said locking means consist in a spring blade bent to 180°;</li><li id="ul0002-0006" num="0025">said spring blade is in contact with and is held against a partition element firmly attached to the body;</li><li id="ul0002-0007" num="0026">said pins have duct bosses inside openings provided in the body;</li><li id="ul0002-0008" num="0027">said openings have peripheral bosses for lateral immobilization of said pins;</li><li id="ul0002-0009" num="0028">at least one of said connectors has in the pins/sleeves connection an opening positioned in the axis of said sleeves;</li><li id="ul0002-0010" num="0029">said cover includes rods capable of at least partly engaging into said opening;</li><li id="ul0002-0011" num="0030">said cover includes integrated surfaces, fitted so as to slide along the sleeves;</li><li id="ul0002-0012" num="0031">said connectors extend in two planes parallel to each other;</li><li id="ul0002-0013" num="0032">the sleeves of said connectors extend in two parallel planes, while the pins extend in a same plane, itself parallel to the plane of the sleeves;</li><li id="ul0002-0014" num="0033">the plane in which said pins extend occupies a middle position facing the planes of the sleeves.</li></ul></li></ul>

p-0021Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the detailed description which follows;

p-0022It will be made with reference to the appended drawings wherein:

p-0023<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> is a perspective view of the different members which form a first embodiment of the connection part according to the invention;

p-0024<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 2A and 2B</figref> are respectively side and front views of said part;

p-0025<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2C</figref> is a side view of the part of <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2A</figref>, connected to a gas microgenerator through its “vertical” arm;

p-0026<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> is a perspective view of the “horizontal” arm, intended to show its internal layout and more particularly a shunt element with which it is fitted;

p-0027<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 4A and 4B</figref> are perspective views, in two opposite directions of this shunt element;

p-0028<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 5A and 5B</figref> are perspective views of one of the connectors of the part, <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5A</figref> showing the connector with partial cutaway;

p-0029<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref> is a perspective view of the body of the part and of the connectors, with the aim of showing more particularly the direction of engagement of the connectors with regard to the body;

p-0030<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref> is a partial view of the bottom of the “horizontal” arm, which shows the presence of orifices opening out for letting through the pins of the connectors;

p-0031<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 8 and 9</figref> are perspective views (a partial view, for one of them) of the body on which the connectors have been mounted beforehand, which most particularly illustrate how these connectors are immobilized;

p-0032<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 10A and 10B</figref> are perspective views, in two opposite directions, of the body as illustrated in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 8 and 9</figref>, and of the cover, the latter not being mounted on the body;

p-0033<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 11</figref> is a perspective view, along a longitudinal and median sectional plane, of the connection part as illustrated in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2A</figref>;

p-0034<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 12</figref> is a perspective view of the assembly of <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2C</figref>;

p-0035<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 13</figref> is a side view, along a longitudinal and median sectional plane of the assembly of <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 2C and 13</figref>;

p-0036<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 14 and 15</figref> are views analogous to <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 2B and 2C</figref> of a second embodiment of the connection part;

p-0037<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 16A and 16B</figref> are perspective views of the connectors which equip this alternative embodiment;

p-0038<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 17</figref>, <b>18</b>, <b>19</b> and <b>20</b> are views analogous to <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 8</figref>, <b>9</b>, <b>10</b>A and <b>10</b>B of this embodiment.

p-0039The casing <b>1</b> illustrated in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 1-13</figref> consists of a body <b>2</b> made up with two “arms” oriented at 90° with respect to each other.

p-0040These two arms are referenced as <b>6</b> and <b>7</b>.

p-0041By convention and in order to facilitate the reading of the present description, arm <b>6</b> is described as a “horizontal arm”, while arm <b>7</b> is described as a “vertical arm”.

p-0042The casing <b>1</b> also comprises a cover <b>3</b> intended to cover the rear of the arm <b>6</b> as well as a large portion of the arm <b>7</b>.

p-0043The arm <b>6</b> has the general shape of a sleeve open at its free end. It is delimited longitudinally by an external wall <b>60</b> and transversely by a bottom wall <b>64</b>. These walls <b>60</b> and <b>64</b> delimit a cavity <b>61</b>.

p-0044This cavity is adapted in order to accommodate an end with a matching shape of a device (not shown) to be electrically connected to another device. Of course, the shape of the wall <b>60</b> and therefore that of the cavity may be adapted depending on the device to be connected.

p-0045As this is notably visible in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 3 and 7</figref>, the bottom wall <b>64</b> has two opening apertures <b>65</b> with a generally circular contour. It is noted in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref> that the perimeter of these openings includes bumps or bosses <b>650</b> which are angularly distributed in a regular way. Their function will be explained later on.

p-0046Parallel to the external wall <b>60</b>, in the upper portion of the arm <b>6</b>, extends a longitudinally oriented wall <b>63</b>. It is associated with a pad <b>62</b> positioned at half-length of the wall <b>63</b> and on the internal side thereof, i.e. towards the interior of the cavity <b>61</b>.

p-0047The walls <b>63</b> and pads <b>62</b> receive a shunt element which is notably visible in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 1</figref>, <b>3</b>, <b>4</b>A and <b>4</b>B.

p-0048This shunt element <b>5</b> is in metal and essentially includes a body <b>50</b> as well as two brackets <b>51</b>.

p-0049The body <b>50</b> consists in a generally planar plate, comprising a base <b>501</b> connected to two parallel arms <b>500</b>, which gives the assembly the general shape of a “U”. Both arms <b>500</b> are connected at half-height through a wall element <b>504</b> forming a crossbar, which delimits a window <b>502</b> through which extends a locking rod <b>503</b>, oriented at an angle and as a single part with the base <b>501</b>.

p-0050Both arms <b>500</b> are folded back by 180° in order to form via curve transition areas <b>505</b>, the two brackets <b>51</b> mentioned above.

p-0051These brackets from curve transition areas <b>505</b> comprise a first portion <b>510</b> parallel to the plate <b>50</b>, a second portion <b>511</b> positioned at an angle and away from the plate <b>50</b>, a third portion <b>512</b> parallel to the first portion <b>510</b> as well as a fourth portion <b>513</b> perpendicular to the portion <b>512</b> and away from the body <b>50</b>.

p-0052This body <b>50</b> is mounted between the external wall <b>60</b> and the aforementioned wall <b>63</b> of the arm <b>6</b>.

p-0053The locking rod <b>503</b> cooperates with the wall <b>60</b> and the transition areas <b>505</b> overlap the wall <b>63</b> while the pad <b>62</b> acts as a separator or spacer for both brackets <b>51</b>.

p-0054As notably shown in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2B</figref>, the brackets <b>51</b> are dimensioned so that the ends <b>513</b> partly overlap the openings <b>65</b> as mentioned earlier.

p-0055As this will be seen later on, these openings <b>65</b> receive pins <b>40</b> of connectors <b>4</b>. During their placement, the connectors are in direct contact with the aforementioned ends <b>513</b>, so that the shunt element <b>5</b> is capable of fully fulfilling its function.

p-0056During the connection of an electrical device to the arm <b>6</b>, the brackets <b>51</b> of the element <b>5</b> are pushed back towards the body <b>50</b> by said device, so that the ends <b>513</b> are then no longer in contact with the connectors.

p-0057The vertical arm <b>7</b> of the body <b>2</b>, notably visible in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9</figref>, is delimited towards the bottom by a base <b>70</b> with a circular contour, which has a pair of opening apertures also with a circular contour, referenced as <b>700</b> and in particular visible in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 10B and 11</figref>.

p-0058The base <b>70</b> is also provided with an additional pair of opening apertures <b>701</b>, positioned facing the apertures <b>700</b> and offset to the periphery.

p-0059From this base rises a front portion <b>71</b> turned towards the branch <b>6</b> and with a convex external surface. It bears a rod <b>75</b> positioned not very far from the arm <b>6</b> and oriented parallel to the latter.

p-0060The remainder of the vertical arm consists of a set of elements as described hereafter.

p-0061In particular, the rear face of the bottom wall <b>64</b> of the arm <b>6</b>, i.e. the one turned towards the arm <b>7</b>, bears, above the aperture <b>65</b>, members <b>640</b> for locking the cover referenced as <b>3</b>. These members are open in the vertical direction and upwards, i.e. perpendicularly to the arm <b>6</b>.

p-0062The presence of two walls <b>72</b> which extend vertically from the base <b>70</b> is also noted. They have the shape of a circular arc and join the portion <b>71</b>. These walls <b>72</b> extend upwards through a wall of smaller thickness and are set back, referenced as <b>73</b>. The upper end of these walls <b>73</b> is provided with a snap-on rod with a tilted face <b>730</b>, positioned vertically.

p-0063From the base <b>70</b> also extends another wall <b>74</b> which has a median position relatively to the walls <b>72</b> and which is positioned in a generally vertical plane. Thus, it delimits between both walls <b>72</b> two spaces E, access to these spaces being possible in a direction generally parallel to the arm <b>6</b>, towards the orifices <b>65</b>.

p-0064The height of the wall <b>74</b> is irregular. From the outside to the inside, it consists of a rod <b>740</b>, a slot <b>741</b>, as well as a high partition <b>742</b>.

p-0065One of the walls <b>72</b> as well as the high partition <b>742</b> have a portion with a larger thickness referenced as <b>731</b>, respectively <b>743</b>, which ensures blocking of the connectors <b>4</b>, as this will be seen later on.

p-0066The body <b>2</b> of the casing receives two identical electrical connectors <b>4</b> which are notably visible in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>. These connectors extend in two parallel planes P<b>1</b> and P<b>2</b>.

p-0067Reference will now be made to <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 5A and 5B</figref> which illustrate in detail one of these connectors.

p-0068This connector <b>4</b> consists of an electrically conducting metal part.

p-0069It comprises a pin <b>40</b> connected at 90° to a sleeve <b>41</b>.

p-0070The pin <b>40</b> consists of a cylindrical tube <b>400</b> with a closed free end, the diameter of which corresponds to the dimensions of a sleeve of a first device to be connected.

p-0071The tube is connected to a base with larger diameter <b>401</b>, the periphery of which includes a series of lugs <b>403</b>, the function of which will be described later on.

p-0072The pin <b>40</b> is connected to the sleeve <b>41</b> through a curved area <b>42</b> which has an aperture <b>43</b>, which gives access to the interior of the sleeve <b>41</b> in its longitudinal direction.

p-0073The sleeve <b>41</b> consists of a tube <b>410</b> with a square section, which is open at its free end <b>411</b>.

p-0074Its wall <b>415</b> which is oriented opposite to the pin <b>40</b>, includes an internal rod <b>416</b> positioned longitudinally and which is conformed as a spring blade.

p-0075This rod is intended to come directly in contact with a pin of a second device to be electrically connected.

p-0076In the upper portion of the wall <b>415</b>, extends a means for locking the connector on the body <b>2</b> of the casing.

p-0077In this case, this is a spring blade <b>412</b> which extends from the wall <b>415</b> towards the pin <b>40</b>. It includes a first arm <b>413</b>, as well as a second end arm <b>414</b> oriented at 180°.

p-0078As this is shown more particularly by <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 6 and 9</figref>, placement of the connectors is accomplished in the direction of the arrow f, generally parallel to the arm <b>6</b>.

p-0079During this placement, the sleeves <b>41</b> are brought closer to the spaces E of the arm <b>7</b>, delimited by the walls <b>72</b> and <b>74</b>.

p-0080The tubes <b>400</b> of the pins <b>40</b> are inserted into the openings <b>65</b>. During this movement, the spring blades <b>412</b> of the connectors are compressed and will snap on, and then be blocked against the overthicknesses <b>731</b> and <b>743</b> of the arm <b>7</b>.

p-0081The bosses <b>650</b> which equip the openings <b>65</b> contribute to lateral immobilization of the pins <b>40</b>, while the lugs <b>403</b> contribute to compensation of the possible plays which would exist between the base <b>401</b> and the passage which receives them.

p-0082Thus, the connectors <b>4</b> are perfectly placed in the casing.

p-0083Further, any removal of these connectors is impossible in a direction parallel to the arm <b>7</b>. On the other hand, removal is possible along a direction parallel to the arm <b>6</b>, if one voluntarily acts on the spring blades <b>412</b>.

p-0084The cover <b>3</b> includes an upper flange with a curved contour similar to that of the arm <b>6</b>, this flange being open in its lower portion. It is connected to a body <b>31</b> with a curved wall, with the same curvature as the exposed portion of the base of the arm <b>7</b>.

p-0085On the external surface of the body <b>31</b>, it is noted that a rod <b>310</b> adapted for limiting the relative engagement of the casing <b>2</b> relatively to a device to be electrically connected, is present in a median position close to its free end.

p-0086On either side of this finger, the presence of a tab <b>311</b>, positioned outwards (at an angle), opposite the free end of the body <b>31</b>, is noted.

p-0087As this will be seen later on, this tab is intended to be engaged in matching means by snapping it on, which are provided in the device to be connected.

p-0088Above the tabs <b>311</b>, two recesses <b>32</b> are provided with an opening <b>320</b>, the function of which will be explained later on.

p-0089A set of rods which will be described more specifically hereafter extends on the internal side of the body <b>31</b>.

p-0090Thus, from the upper portion of the flange <b>30</b>, two rods <b>33</b> with a T-shaped cross-section, the transverse bar of which is intended to engage into the locking members <b>640</b> borne by the casing <b>2</b>, extend towards the end of the body <b>31</b>.

p-0091The presence of two rods <b>35</b> with reduced length is also noted, provided for partially engaging into the openings <b>43</b> of the connectors <b>4</b> at their curved intermediate portion <b>42</b>.

p-0092A bracket <b>34</b> is moreover positioned between the rods <b>35</b>, in order to engage inbetween the connectors <b>4</b>.

p-0093Finally, the presence of two rods <b>36</b> of great length is also noted, positioned on either side of the rods <b>35</b>, provided so as to be positioned along the connectors <b>4</b>, and more particularly along their face <b>415</b>. The free end of these rods is conformed in order to cooperate with the openings <b>701</b> of the base.

p-0094<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 11</figref> accounts for the mutual cooperation between the cover <b>3</b> and the casing <b>2</b>.

p-0095As stated earlier, the engagement of the cover <b>3</b> with respect to the casing <b>2</b>, is accomplished in a direction parallel to the arm <b>7</b>, in the direction of the arrow g.

p-0096By doing this, the rods <b>731</b> of the arm <b>7</b> are locked in the windows <b>320</b> of the cover. Moreover, the rods <b>35</b> of the cover partially fit into the openings <b>43</b> of the connectors, while the rods <b>36</b> will be positioned against the face <b>415</b> of these connectors.

p-0097By means of this layout, if the connectors are not properly positioned, the cover cannot properly engage on the casing <b>2</b>.

p-0098On the contrary, if it locks, this means that the rods <b>35</b> and <b>36</b> are properly positioned relatively to the connectors <b>4</b>, so that perfect placement of all the elements of the part is guaranteed.

p-0099With <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 12 and 13</figref>, it is possible to fully understand how the part according to the invention cooperates with a device to be electrically connected, the latter including a pair of pins.

p-0100The relevant device bears reference <b>8</b> and has a cylindrical shape with an upper peripheral flange <b>80</b>.

p-0101The latter has a cut-out <b>81</b> for receiving the blocking rod <b>75</b> borne by the front face of the arm <b>7</b> of the body <b>2</b>.

p-0102As this is visible in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 13</figref>, the internal side of the flange <b>80</b> is conformed as a snap-on tooth <b>82</b> for accommodating and blocking the tab <b>311</b> which equips the cover <b>3</b>.

p-0103The device includes pins <b>83</b> of the same type as the pins <b>40</b>. These pins <b>83</b> are perfectly engaged in the sleeves <b>41</b> of the connectors <b>4</b>, the spring blade <b>415</b> providing perfect contact between the pins <b>83</b> and the matching sleeves <b>41</b>.

p-0104An alternative of the device according to the invention is illustrated in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 14-20</figref>.

p-0105It shows a structure analogous to the one which has just been described. Accordingly, the elements, which bear references identical with those of the device of the first alternative, should be considered as identical or similar.

p-0106The main difference, which this embodiment has, consists in the particular orientation of the pins of both electric connectors with which it is equipped. These connectors are referenced as <b>4</b>′ and <b>4</b>″ in the figures.

p-0107The connector <b>4</b>′ illustrated in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 16B</figref> has a structure relatively similar to that of the connector <b>4</b> of <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 5A and 5B</figref>. The elements common to both of these embodiments bear the same reference accompanied with the prime index.

p-0108The only notable difference lies in the fact that pin <b>40</b> extends in a plane P₃parallel, i.e. shifted, relatively to the plane of the sleeve <b>41</b>′.

p-0109The same applies for the connector <b>4</b>″ of <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 16A</figref>, it being specified that the pin <b>40</b>″ is shifted in the opposite direction, and is located in a plane P₃parallel to the plane P₄of the sleeve <b>41</b>″.

p-0110By this particular layout, and as this is most particularly shown in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 14</figref>, a positioning of the pins <b>40</b>′ and <b>40</b>″ is obtained so that they are aligned in a same vertical plane P₃.